Crown Drops Appeal in Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Case

Strategic Insights -

A critical acquittal in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case has no appeal from the Crown. In a decision announced just before the deadline to file an appeal, the Crown rejected the acquittals of five former Canadian junior hockey players accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a then-20-year-old woman, E.M. The acquittals were made by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia on July 24.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Crown has declined to appeal the sexual assault acquittals of five former Canadian junior hockey players, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote.
  • The players were found not guilty of sexually assaulting E.M. in a London hotel room during a 2018 Hockey Canada event.
  • Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia acquitted the players, ruling that E.M. was not credible or reliable in her testimony that she was raped and assaulted.
  • The judge found that E.M. was not a victim, but rather an "active participant" who had consensual sex with the players and exaggerated her level of intoxication.
  • The decision was based on a 90-page judgment that rejected the evidence of E.M., who initially testified she was drunk and on autopilot as she went along with the sex.
  • The five players were members of the 2018 Canadian world junior championship team and were in London to attend a Hockey Canada Gala & Golf fundraising event.
  • The case has raised questions about the credibility of E.M.'s testimony and the role of Hockey Canada in enabling the alleged assaults.
  • The acquittals have sparked outrage and accusations of a "rape culture" within Hockey Canada.
  • The players remain suspended from Hockey Canada programs pending an internal process and are ineligible to play in the NHL until further notice.
  • The league declared the allegations were "very disturbing" and referred to the behavior as unacceptable.

Statistics:

  • 5 - Number of former Canadian junior hockey players acquitted of sexual assault charges.
  • 1 - Number of judge's 90-page judgment that rejected the evidence of E.M.
  • $3.5-million - Amount of sexual assault lawsuit filed against Hockey Canada by E.M.
  • 8 - Number of unnamed John Doe players named in the lawsuit.

Sources:

  • "The Crown will not be appealing last month's sexual assault acquittals in the high-profile Hockey Canada trial." www.thestar.com
  • "Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia acquitted Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote on July 24 of sexually assaulting a then-20-year-old woman known as E.M." www.thestar.com
  • "The Crown had 30 days from July 24 to file an appeal." www.thestar.com
  • "In her 90-page judgement, Carroccia found that E.M., who testified over nine days, was not 'credible or reliable'." www.thestar.com